Black Forest cobra

The Zoo has a pair of black forest cobras. The male was born on February 27, 1995 and the female was born on February 24, 1997. Both arrived at the Zoo on June 9, 1998 from Montecasino Bird Gardens in Johannesburg, Africa.

Currently, only the male is on exhibit.

Viewing Hints

The forest cobra is usually resting on the highest branches in the exhibit.

Where to find me in the Zoo

Reptile and Amphibian House

Fun Facts

The Black Forest Cobra is the second largest species of Cobra on earth.

Male Black Forest Cobras perform a male ritual combat during mating. Two males will “tango” with each other to determine who gets to mate with the female cobra.

Black Forest Cobras are on average 6-8 feet in length.

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The coloration of this species can vary greatly. Dorsal coloration is usually a yellowish brown or completely black. The ventral coloration is usually a white or creamish color.

Longevity

18 years in captivity.

Behavior

This snake is a highly adaptable and intelligent. It has adapted to surivive in forested areas as well as savannahs from sea level to elevations over 9000 feet.

Reproduction

A female forest cobra will lay 15-26 eggs.

Size

6-8 feet

Weight

5-8 lbs

Diet

Black forest cobra’s are carnivorous. In the wild, they eat a variety of prey including small mammals birds, amphibians and other reptiles. Forest cobras use a neotoxin to incompacitate and kill their prey. At the Zoo, the snakes are offered rats appropriate to the size of the snake. During the late spring to late fall the snake will eat biweekly – in the winter the snakes become very inactive and feed less frequently.

Geographic Range

Central Africa south to Angola and the eastern parts of South Africa

To learn more about the conservation efforts at the Philadelphia Zoo, click here.